Criteria for Leadership

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you to appoint elders in every town: one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as God's administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those form Judiasm. It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn't in order to get money dishonestly. Titus 1:5-11

Crest was reputed to be an unholy and immoral place. Titus would have had his work cut out for him. To find godly men in the midst of such a place would take some doing. However, with God it is possible. The template for what constitutes good leaders would have helped Titus. All he had to do was pour the applicants over the sieve and God would be the standard.

Jesus  Himself chose young men that seemed far from perfect, yet He saw something that others didn't. He knew what they could become. What is in the spirit and inner man is more important than appearances. A salesman will do anything to make a sale. This also goes for those wanting position.

It is interesting that then, just as it is now, there were plenty of rebellious people full of empty talk and deception. I am sure Titus was grateful for Paul giving him the standard.